The Landing busy preparing for a wild Florida-Georgia weekend

Chuck Arbogast placed his chair in the Jacksonville Landing courtyard about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, going to extremes to beat the crowds that started packing the plaza later that night.

By Nathan CrabbeStaff writer

JACKSONVILLE -- Chuck Arbogast placed his chair in the Jacksonville Landing courtyard about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, going to extremes to beat the crowds that started packing the plaza later that night.The 48-year-old Jacksonville resident and Gator fan is planning also to be there early Friday and probably Saturday, when the Florida-Georgia game that day will be played on a big screen. He says the new rules meant to reduce excessive and underage drinking will do little to quell the rowdy crowds."I don't think it's going to make a difference," he said. "They're going to get it one way or another."The Landing, a collection of bars, restaurants and shops on the Jacksonville waterfront, has eliminated roving waitresses selling shots of liquor, cut down on the number of outdoor alcohol vendors and made other changes for Florida-Georgia weekend this year. UF officials had pushed for changes in an effort to prevent the problems of years past.UF and the city of Jacksonville also have expanded the number of Sideline Safety Zone locations this time around. Started after the alcohol-related deaths of UF students in 2004 and 2005, the locations allow students to get medical attention, food and water, and help them find friends if they get separated."They worked so well in the locations they were in, it could only be better to have more of them," said David Bowles, UF's recreational sports director who is coordinating the university's contribution to the effort.The Florida-Georgia game has been known as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" for the boozy atmosphere at tailgating sites and other locations around its Jacksonville setting. In the wake of the deaths, Southeastern Conference officials asked television announcers to stop using the "cocktail party" nickname. But the party scene has remained.This year the recession seems to have toned down the festivities. At the RV City tailgating site outside Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, recreational vehicles started lining up Saturday night to ensure they landed a spot when the lot opened Wednesday. But unlike past years, spots still remained open Thursday."I think the economy has a lot to do with it," said Greg Marion, 46, of West Palm Beach.Still, Marion and his former fraternity brothers were in Jacksonville for the 31st straight year. They were prepared with 600 pounds of pork for the 300 guests expected on game day.With the game falling on Halloween this year, they decorated the site with a coffin containing a dummy of Georgia coach Mark Richt."We think Mark Richt is going to get fired if he loses again this year," Marion said.Back at the Landing, bars and restaurants were stocking up on beer in preparation for the weekend. George Yousefzadeh, owner of Vito's Italian Cafe, said he understood the efforts to cut down on drinking but said businesses rely on the weekend to pay their bills for the year."The Landing is a very tough place to survive," he said. "You look for events like this to balance the year out."Across the courtyard, his brother Benny Yousefzadeh was preparing the bar at his business, Benny's Steak and Seafood. He said he appreciated the classes conducted by state alcohol, beverage and tobacco agents this week to show bartenders how to spot fake identifications.But regardless of the changes that have been made, he was preparing for another wild weekend."We can do so much, but it's going to be chaotic," he said.Landing spokeswoman Rachel Nudge said changes this year include checking purses to make sure people aren't sneaking bottles of alcohol into the venue. The locations of outdoor bars have been moved closer to buildings; planters and furniture have been removed; and people are banned from handing out fliers in efforts to keep the crowds moving."It will just look more open," she said. "That doesn't mean it won't get crowded with people."George Yousefzadeh said the weekend is tough to manage but good for business."We look forward to when it ends, but we look forward to when it comes again," he said.Contact Nathan Crabbe at 338-3176 or nathan.crabbe@gvillesun.com.